Australia’s Latest Immigration/Visa Rule Changes, Effective From 1st July 2022

With Australia stepping into the post-COVID era, the government has introduced certain immigration and visa rule changes intending to spur economic recovery and tackle skilled labor shortages many industries are going through. 

These changes, which came into effect on 1st July 2022, will act as a boon for skilled migrant workers who opted to stay back in the country during the pandemic by enhancing their access to permanent residence (PR.)

Read on as we discuss these visa changes in detail below. 

Major Australian Immigration/Visa Changes Applicable From 1st July 2022

Here are the immigration/visa changes the Australian Department Of Home Affairs (DHA) has implemented from 1st July 2022. 

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa Holders In The Short-term Stream

If you're a TSS visa holder in the short-term stream, you can now apply for the PR visa through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa, provided:

• You've stayed in Australia for a minimum of one year between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021

• You meet the general 186 visa criteria under the 186 temporary transition stream

• You must work for a sponsor employer while holding a 482 visa for at least three years

Important: This pathway is accessible for two years, starting from 1 July 2022.

It's worth noting that Temporary Work Skilled subclass 457 visa holders with an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). As a result, subclass 457 visa holders need not apply first for the TSS visa for the TRT stream of the ENS subclass 186 visa. 

Extension Of The Grandfathering Arrangements In Place For 457 Visa Holders

The Australian government body has further extended the grandfathering arrangements in place for 457 visa holders who applied for a subclass 457 visa as of 18 April 2017. 

This arrangement was set to end last year in March. However, the government declared this extension to give 457 visa holders access to PR visa holders even if they don't meet the age requirement. 

For this to happen:

• You must have held a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017

• You must have applied for a subclass 457 visa on or before 18 April 2017 that was granted

Note: The visa holder doesn't need to hold the same subclass 457 visa still to be eligible for this grandfathering arrangement. 

Replacement Stream For Temporary Graduate Visas SC 485

If you're among those SC 485 visa holders who couldn't stay back in Australia for the whole period of their previous visa owing to the various pandemic restrictions, then the replacement stream is for you. 

Here are the eligibility terms:

• You must hold or have previously held a temporary graduate visa SC 485 that expired on or after 01 February 2020
• You've been outside Australia between 1 February 2020 and 15 December 2021

Note: The Replacement 485 visa must be lodged before 1 January 2027. Furthermore, you must hold the original 485 visa and not the second visa. 

• Nominated Occupation And Skills Assessment Aren't Required Temporarily For Subclass 485 – Graduate Work Stream

Another significant alteration in the Australian visa rules is the triviality of the Nominated Occupation and Skills Assessment. This allows thousands of foreign students to stay and contribute to the Australian labour market with their skills.

FYI, this applies to applications lodged between 01 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 (inclusive.)

• Working Holiday Visa

Besides the COVID restrictions, most Australian industries also started facing an immense shortage of skilled laborers who moved back to their homeland for fresh job opportunities. 

To benefit industries that rely heavily on an international workforce, the government has raised the Working Holiday Visa quote by 30% compared to last FY. Now, all skilled workers from eligible countries can travel to Australia and work under this program. 

• The Age Limit For Italian And Danish Citizens Will Increase From 30 To 35 Years Of Age

The Australian government has further raised the age limit of Italian and Danish citizens from 30 to 35 years.

• Australian Visa Fees Undergoes Revision

If you're a foreign worker from the skilled, visit, or sponsored visa category, note that the visa fees for these categories have been revised, effective from 1st July 2022.  

The following table mentions the new visa fee applicable from 1st July 2022. 

• Students Must Get Ministry Approval Before Changing Their Courses

If you apply for a student visa post 1 July 2022, it'll be subject to visa Condition 8208, under which you must attain prior written approval from the Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) before undertaking a critical technology-related course of study in the postgraduate research sector. 

This includes:

• A postgraduate research course, a master's degree (research) or a doctoral degree level that relates to critical technology
• A bridging course identified as a prerequisite to a postgraduate research course pertaining to a critical technology
• A thesis or research topic for a postgraduate research course relating to critical technology

• Fair Work High Income Threshold Increases

From 1st July 2022, the Fair Work High Income threshold has been revised to  $162,000 from $158,500. 

Note: This raise may influence your eligibility if you wish to apply for the Global Talent Independent Program or access age exemption in certain skilled visas.

• Australian Citizenship Payment

1st July 2022 onwards, you must pay for your Australian Citizenship application in AUD and not in foreign currencies.

• Change To Job Ready Program  (JRP) Skills Assessment With Trade Recognition Australia

The Job Ready Program, from 1st July 2022, will be a three-step affair. Until now, it used to be a four-step program. 

These are all Australia visa changes into effect from 1st July 2022.  

At Immigration Experts, we guide your clients with the best possibilities of moving to Australia (https://www.immigrationxperts.com/australia-pr-points-calculator/) with regards to their professional background.

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